Group Instructor: Rochelle Rainville, LPCC
Group Goal: To provide a safe, therapeutic space for parents and caregivers of children with severe mental health issues to find mutual support, validation, and aid so that they can continue to advocate for and help their children.
Description: This group is for parents, grandparents, and caretakers of children and adolescents who are dealing with severe mental health issues. Some may have had to hospitalize their children many times just to keep them safe. Children who are dealing with suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, self-harm, aggressive or violent behaviors, stealing, property damage, running away, psychosis, risky behaviors, delinquency, and drug or alcohol use need a higher level of care than most and this can take a serious toll on caregivers who are trying to help. It can also be confusing and frustrating to deal with the systems that are in place to deal with high-risk kids.
This group will support the emotional, social, and communal needs of parents and caregivers who know that helping a child who is struggling with severe issues can be extremely difficult and draining.
Topics that will be discussed in this group include:
Group Goal: To provide a safe, therapeutic space for parents and caregivers of children with severe mental health issues to find mutual support, validation, and aid so that they can continue to advocate for and help their children.
Description: This group is for parents, grandparents, and caretakers of children and adolescents who are dealing with severe mental health issues. Some may have had to hospitalize their children many times just to keep them safe. Children who are dealing with suicidal ideation, suicidal attempts, self-harm, aggressive or violent behaviors, stealing, property damage, running away, psychosis, risky behaviors, delinquency, and drug or alcohol use need a higher level of care than most and this can take a serious toll on caregivers who are trying to help. It can also be confusing and frustrating to deal with the systems that are in place to deal with high-risk kids.
This group will support the emotional, social, and communal needs of parents and caregivers who know that helping a child who is struggling with severe issues can be extremely difficult and draining.
Topics that will be discussed in this group include:
- What to expect when your child is hospitalized
- What your rights are when your child is hospitalized
- How to advocate for your child’s medication management with “experts”
- Practical information about the resources available in our community
- Who to call for help when things get scary at the home
- Signs that your own mental health is suffering and what to do
- Signs that your child is declining and what to do before it turns into a crisis
- Safety planning and how to make your own home safety plan
- Why talking to and about your child in a trauma-informed way matters
- Why trust with your child is sometimes damaged after hospitalization and ways to rebuild it
- The impact of your child’s struggles on the rest of the family and how to stay resilient
- How to let go of self-blame for your child’s struggles and adopt effective parenting approaches
- Psychoeducation about diagnoses, attachment, parenting styles, etc.